More Than 150,000 People Watched Eclipse at Ohio State Parks

COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than 150,000 people viewed the solar eclipse Monday at Ohio parks.

“People from all around the world came to Ohio to witness the splendor of the total solar eclipse,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a news release. “ODNR helped showcase how Ohio is the Heart of it All by ensuring dozens of natural spaces were free, accessible, and safe for visitors.”

ODNR positioned staff all around the state to welcome people for the once-in-a-lifetime event in Ohio.

Parks in northeastern Ohio included Mosquito Lake, Lake Milton, Punderson, Geneva, West Branch, Portage Lakes and Pymatuning.

Nearly 300 law enforcement officers were on duty around the state Monday. Natural resources and wildlife officers were posted at some of the busiest locations along the path of totality. Meanwhile, other wildlife officers were able to monitor the state parks, nature preserves and forests that were not in the path of totality.

During the weekend, the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft and the ODNR Division of Wildlife provided more than 300 programs for visitors to enjoy as they counted down to the eclipse.

ODNR partnered with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities to provide LightSound devices at 30 locations in the path of totality. These devices converted sunlight into audible tones, allowing users to perceive changes as the moon eclipsed the sun.

Pictured at top: People watch the eclipse on the beach at Headlands State Park in Mentor, Ohio.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.